Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD)
by Ford Beebe, Frederick Stephani, Ray Taylor, Robert F. Hill
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Buster Crabbe, Charles Middleton, Frank Shannon, Jean Rogers, Priscilla LawsonDirector: Ford Beebe, Frederick Stephani, Ray Taylor, Robert F. Hill
Brand: Image Entertainment
Writer: Alex Raymond
Writer: Barry Shipman
Writer: Basil Dickey
Writer: Ella O'Neill
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Box set, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 778 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-10-03
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Image Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD)
Movie Review: THE ORIGINAL FLASH GORDON SERIAL TRILOGY: PURE ESCAPIST FUN
Summary: 5 Stars
The three FLASH GORDON serials that Universal produced between 1936 and 1940 are still the best screen incarnations of Alex Raymond's popular comic strip hero, and this boxed set from Image Entertainment is the way to go. As Flash, Olympic swimmer turned actor Larry "Buster" Crabbe looks as though he literally leaped off Raymond's drawing board and landed onto the movie screen. The nostalgic rocket ships, costumes, and gadgetry likewise depict the original comic strip from the '30s to a tee. When watching these films today, one needs to remember that with FLASH GORDON, Raymond never intended to present a scientifically accurate nor even a science fiction premise. Instead, the strip offered its readers an escapist fantasy adventure, and that's what these classic serials are all about too: escapism and imaginative fantasy that's highly entertaining.
The initial 13 chapter serial entitled FLASH GORDON (1936), was the most expensive ever made at the time, produced on a budget of $350,000.00 which topped the amount usually alotted for an average feature film. Even so, some shortcuts in the special effects department were required. Keep in mind that although it was a lavish amount, the funding had to be spread to cover a running time of approximately four hours and shooting schedules for serials were tight. These limitations, however, don't detract from FLASH GORDON but actually add to its charm, which is a priceless quality often lacking in films today that have CGI effects.
In addition to Crabbe (who had his hair dyed blonde for the role), we also get portrayals of the other leading characters that are equally faithful to the comic strip. Beautiful Jean Rogers is perfect as Dale Arden, Flash's love - and Emperor Ming's lust - interest. The Dale in the comics was dark haired, but Rogers wore a blonde wig presumably to contrast with the other females on the planet Mongo who are all brunettes. As Emperor Ming, veteran actor Charles Middleton is the epitome of screen villainy. He essays the role with appropriate relish, especially in the way he uses his distinctive voice. Ming's daughter Princess Aura is played by exotic Priscilla Lawson, a former model and beauty contest winner. Of the two female leads, Lawson has the meatier role since it's the treacherous Aura who propels much of the action as she doesn't let anything dissuade her attempts to possess hunky Flash. Frank Shannon is Dr. Zarkov, the brilliant Earth scientist whose aid Ming tries to enlist in his plan to rule the universe. This plan includes keeping under subjugation various other Mongo monarchs: Prince Barin (Richard Alexander), real ruler of Mongo who was dethroned by Ming, the stoic Prince Thun of the lion men (former Tarzan actor James Pierce), King Kala of the shark men (Duke York Jr.), and boisterous King Vultan of the hawk men (John Lipson), who also has designs on Dale. All the actors play their roles in a straight, no nonsense manner that's well suited for an action oriented chapter play like this one surely is.
Nevertheless, the first FLASH GORDON installment contains a measure of depth that rarely surfaces in movie serials of the time. There's the continual conflict generated by the romantic triangle of Flash, Dale, and Aura. Flash is totally devoted to Dale and repeatedly comes to her rescue, all the while resisting Aura's persistent affections. Yet it's Aura who, in turn, comes to Flash's aid whenever his life is in peril. When she does anything that endangers Flash, it's out of her misguided aim to prevent another woman from having him. Meanwhile Dale is the ever helpless damsel in distress who never does anything to help Flash; at one point she even inadverdently causes him to be nabbed by Vultan! Significantly, it's Aura who's the only character to undergo a moral arc when she finally decides to side with the Earth people even if this means defying her own emperor father. It's largely because of this intriguing premise that the first serial is the best of the lot. In fact, FLASH GORDON was the first serial to be designated a cultural treasure by the National Film Registry in 1996.
FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS (1938), is 15 chapters which is two chapters longer than the first one, but that's because it relies on some flashback footage from FLASH GORDON to pad it out. It also adds some comic relief provided by a new character, reporter Happy Hapgood (Donald Kerr). Along with Dale ( who is brunette here ), the other principal female this time is Martian Queen Azura (Beatrice Roberts), who joins forces with Ming in his attempt to destroy the Earth via a powerful light beam. Produced on a lesser budget, TRIP TO MARS' art direction isn't as good as in the first serial. It does however feature the creepy Clay People who were transformed into such by Azura's magic.
The final entry, FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE (1940), was the least expensive and the shortest - 12 chapters - of the three. The only actors to reprise their roles are Buster Crabbe, Charles Middleton, and Frank Shannon. Carol Hughes replaces Jean Rogers as Dale, with Shirley Deane as Aura and Roland Drew as Barin. While Hughes makes an acceptable Dale, Deane and Drew are merely bland stand-ins for Priscilla Lawson and Richard Alexander. Aside from being called Aura and Barin, the new actors bear no resemlance to the characters as they were portrayed in the first serial. Even with these casting drawbacks, CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE is an enjoyable cliff-hanger with rousing music (largely comprised of Franz Liszt's "Les Preludes"), above average art direction, and glossy photography.
Feature versions were edited down from all three serials and released to theaters. These are: ROCKET SHIP and SPACESHIP TO THE UNKNOWN (from FLASH GORDON), MARS ATTACKS THE WORLD and DEADLY RAY FROM MARS (from FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS), and PURPLE DEATH FROM OUTER SPACE (from FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE). When the serials were sold to T.V. the titles were replaced from FLASH GORDON to SPACE SOLDIERS and these are the versions many viewers fondly remember watching on Saturday mornings for years.
To modern audiences the original FLASH GORDON serials may not offer the latest in computer graphics, but they can still deliver good, clean entertainment in that special way that characterizes the era of classic movie making magic.
More Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD) reviews:
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Summary of Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD)
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